“Runaway Bride”

Julia Roberts in ‘Runaway Bride’ (Paramount/Touchstone, 1999)

I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy—or at least a romantic comedy with appealing stars and an interesting premise. 1999’s Runaway Bride probably fits more in the latter definition, but I still love it. Maggie (played by Julia Roberts) is a quintessential man-eater and a terminal flirt, having left a trail of broken hearted ex-boyfriends along with three ex-fiancés that she ran away from at the altar. Ike (played by Richard Gere) is a rather sexist (and, subsequently, divorced) newspaper columnist who, after writing a story about Maggie the “runaway bride,” gets fired for supposed errors in the article. In order to regain his reputation and his job, Ike goes to the small town where Maggie lives to get to the bottom of the story. I’m sure you can’t imagine what happens after that, but still it’s an interesting journey that finally brings Ike and Maggie together. Sure the film is a bit uneven, but Julia Roberts and Richard Gere have such tremendous individual charm along with great on-screen chemistry that some of the film’s weaknesses can be overlooked. The soundtrack is excellent, too (Miles Davis’ “It Never Entered My Mind” is a personal favorite). Ultimately, the film to me is more of a treatise about understanding the ripple effect of your actions and about the importance of learning what you really want out of love and of life. Also stars Joan Cusack, Paul Dooley, Hector Elizando, Rita Wilson, and Christopher Meloni. Written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. Directed by Garry Marshall. “He wanted to know how you liked your eggs.”

Thanks for reading the blog this year and for indulging me in a few of my cinematic guilty pleasures. See you at the movies in 2014!

“White Christmas”

Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Danny Kaye in ‘White Christmas’ (Paramount, 1954)

A favorite Christmas movie of the Clark family is Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Paramount, 1954). Song-and-dance team Wallace and Davis (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) meet and fall in love with the Hayes Sisters (played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and then join forces to help save their former army general’s country inn in Vermont. The paper-thin plot is mostly just an excuse to tie together one great song after another, all written by Irving Berlin, including “Heat Wave,” “Sisters,” “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing,” “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” and, of course, the titular classic sung by Bing himself. Also stars Dean Jagger and Mary Wickes. Written by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank. Directed by Michael Curtiz. “Well, how do you like that? Without so much as a kiss my foot or have an apple!”

“Tron”

Dan Shor, Jeff Bridges, and Bruce Boxleitner on the grid in ‘Tron’ (Disney, 1982)

I am a huge fan of Disney’s innovative live-action sci-fi pic Tron (1982). Released when I was a kid and at the height of the video arcade craze, the film tells the story of computer programmer Kevin Flynn (played by Jeff Bridges) and his journey into the digital world, aka “the grid,” to fight off the evil Master Control Program who has usurped control of all computer games and programs. On the grid, video games are more like gladiator fights to the death. And no one kicks butt on the grid like the computer program Tron (played by Bruce Boxleitner), who fights “for the users.” I distinctly remember seeing Tron in the movie theater in 1982 and knowing that I was watching something truly unique (I re-watched the film on Disney’s fantastic Blu-ray transfer released in 2011). It was one of the first films to extensively use computer generated graphics. The scenes on the grid were filmed using black and white film on blacked out sets with the actors wearing white costumes. The scenes were then hand painted in post production, giving them their unique color and glow. The process was so labor and cost intensive, it hasn’t been used since. With the influence of visual consultants Syd Mead, Jean “Moebius” Giraud, and Peter Lloyd, and special visual effects by Disney wizards Harrison Ellenshaw and Richard Taylor, the film has a visual aesthetic which I absolutely love. And while it may not have the most interesting plot in the world, the film is a guilty pleasure for me in all regards. Also stars Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes, and David Warner. Written and directed by Steven Lisberger. “On the other side of the screen, it all looks so easy.”

Happy Birthday, Walt

Courtesy of The Walt Disney Company

I am forever inspired by one of the world’s great filmmakers, entertainers, and thought leaders–the incomparable Walt Disney. His birthday was yesterday (December 5). Happy Birthday, Walt!